A molecular dynamics study on the collisional dynamics of soft and
sticky single face-centered cubic crystal nanoparticles is presented.
The softness and stickiness of the nanoparticles are controlled by
varying parameters in the Lennard-Jones potential that is used to
describe the interatomic interactions. Softening of nanoparticles due to
extensive plastic deformations is observed as was previously found in
hard nanoparticles. Further, two primary plastic deformation modes, slip
and twinning, of the nanoparticles are found to play important roles in
the temperature dependence of the coefficient of restitution.
Additionally, we observe the effects of surface roughness, facets, and
edges in the collisional behaviors of the sticky nanoparticles in low-
velocity collisions. Nevertheless, the Johnson-Kendall-Roberts theory
for macroscopic adhesive bodies still remains valid in nearly spherical
nanoparticles.